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Radinovich to seek re-election to state House

State Rep. Joe Radinovich, DFL-Crosby, announced he will run for re-election in 2014 in District 10B. Radinovich is completing his first term.

District 10B includes Aitkin County and the eastern and southern part of Crow Wing County, including Crosslake, Fifty Lakes and Emily, and Timothy, Little Pine, Fairfield, Ross Lake, Perry Lake and Wolford townships.

“We’ve made a lot of progress in the last session, but we know we have more work to do,” Radinovich said in a news release. “Our economy is recovering, but too many of our neighbors in Greater Minnesota aren’t experiencing that recovery. We need to do more to boost our economy now while laying the foundation for a bright future.”

Radinovich has been traveling through the district and listening to constituents, hosting more than 30 town hall meetings. His campaign is already off to a strong start with $45,000 raised for the campaign.

“I’ve heard from constituents that they think the state is headed in the right direction and that we need to continue moving forward,” Radinovich said in the news release.

In 2013, the Legislature made historic investments in education to build the world’s best workforce — including all-day kindergarten, early childhood scholarships, the payback of the IOU owed to schools and a college tuition freeze.

The budget also included two education levy equalization measures chief authored by Radinovich: a statewide general education levy and a provision that directs additional state aid to districts that have either no levy or an ineffective one.

“This is a huge step toward ensuring that students in Crow Wing or Aitkin counties have the same educational opportunities as children in Edina or Eagan,” Radinovich said. “That is key to the economic vitality of our area now and in the future.”

The 2013 budget also includes $140 million in direct property tax relief through the expanded Homeowner Credit Refund and Renter’s Credit. In addition, the plan includes $89 million in new investments to spur middle class job creation, calling for more job training, workforce development and small business strategies to strengthen our economy and workforce.

The budget contains a bill Radinovich authored to provide a $346 million tax cut for businesses — among the largest in state history — through a reduction in the rate that employers pay on unemployment insurance.

“This is a responsible, targeted tax cut that will provide businesses with more money that they can then use to hire new workers, expand their business and grow our economy,” said Radinovich. “This tax cut is already helping 120,000 Minnesota businesses.”

Radinovich said he is proud of the accomplishments and positive, bipartisan working relationships made in just his first term, and is hoping to continue that work for the people of Crow Wing and Aitkin counties.

“My mother told me you can either be part of the solution or part of the problem, and I hope to be part of the solution again for the people of District 10B,” Radinovich said.

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